Automatic block-signal apparatus.



w v. W. BAUMGARTNER.

AUTOMATIC BLOCK SIGNAL APPARATUS. v

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Patented May 29, 1917.

4 SHEETS-SHEET I.

l/Vl/ENTO ATTORNEY v wmvfsska-g if v. 1 (AM/ 1 v. w; BAUMGARTNER.

AUTOMATIC BLOCK SIGNAL APPARATUS. v 4

APPLICATION FILEDFEBD. 10. I915- Patented May 29, 1917.-

4 SHEETSS,HEET 2.

WITNESSES: IIVI/EIVTOR 1 71,00 664, WBawngafiner A TTOR/VEY V. W. BAUMGARTNER.

MATIC BLOCK SIGNAL APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. I0. 1915.

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1 0m E m 0% %4 n m a P IIVVENTOR Vwgil WBaumgarlncr ATTORNEY I. umln-ls PEYERS m.,PNOTD-I.IYNO..WASMINGTON, u c.

V. W. BAUIVIGARTNER.

AUTOMATIC BLOCK SIGNAL APPARATUS.

APPLICATlON FILED FEB. 10, I915- 1,228,168. Patented May 29, 19 17.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

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MA a7 l/V VE/V TOR wgilWBaumgartner A TTOR/VEV m: "cums PZYERS cm. Puomumm WASHINGI'DN. n c.

vmen. WEBB BAUMGA TN R; or sAL'r LAKE CITY, UTAH.

AUTOMATIC BLOCK-SIGN AL APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented May 29, 1917- Application filed February 10, 1915. Serial N o. 7,429.

To all whom it may concern: 1' v i Be it known that I, VIRGIL W. BAUM- GARTNER, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Salt Lake City, in the county of Salt Lake and State'of Utah, have invented a new and Improved Automatic Block-Signal Apparatus, of which the fol lowing is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to automatic block signal systems especially adapted, although not necessarily limited, to single track traffic, the system contemplating the use of green, yellow and red signal lamps at the ends of each block, whereby the traffic conditions can be reliably governed by prearranged signals; that is to say, normally the green signal lamps will be lighted when the block is clear, and when a train enters a block a red signal will be exhibited at the far end and a yellow signal-"at the entering end, and when the train or car leaves the block the green lamps will be-restored and the other lamps cut out of service, and when two trains or cars enter opposite ends of the block at the same time there will be exhibited at each end a yellow and a red lamp, so that the engineers or motormen will be duly warned in time to prevent a collision.

The invention has for its general objects to provide a reliable and effective signal system which is of comparatively simple and inexpensive construction and entirely automatic in operation.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a group of oil switches at each end of the block and electro-magnetically controlled by means of current derived from the trolley wire or third rail by the trolley wheel or shoe engaging contacts at the ends 'of the block, and through the medium of the oil switches, the signal lamps will be connected with the trolley wire or third rail according to a pre-arranged plan of signallllg. 1

A further object of the inventionis the provision of a novel arrangement of electro-v magnets associated with each oil switch for opening and closing the contacts of the latter, the electro-magnets having interlocking armatures whereby the oil switch will remain open or closed until the opening or closing electro-ma et is energized.

Still another ObJBCt of the invention is to provide a novel arrangement of contacts associated with the trolley wire, whereby the the latter to the signal system.

. In "the accompanying drawings, which illustrate one embodiment of the invention and wherein similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the views,

Figure 1 is a side view of a pairof contact devices at each end of a block, portions being broken away; 1

F ig. 2 is a vertical section. on the line 22, Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a side view of one of the oil switches;

Figs. 1 and 5 are diagrammatic views of the signal system showing-respectively the condition after a car has entered a block and the condition when it is about to leave the farend of the same; and

F 6 is a diagrammatic view showing the condltion of the system when the car has entered the left end of the block. 7 i In the present instance the contact devices at the ends of the block are designed for use in connection with a trolley wire 10. Each contact device A comprises 'a-horizontal bar 11 of insulation. This bar of insulation, which is disposed above the trolley wire 10,

hason its ends hangers 12 which are rigidly secured to the trolley wire, and cross-rods or other supports 13 hold the bar 11. Under the bar and disposed slightly above the tI'Ol-r ley wire 10 are contacts 14 and 15 in the form of horizontal metallic strips which are each fastened to a' pair" of oppositely disposed V'-shaped springs 16 that are in turn fastened to the under side of the bar 11. The

springs allow the contacts 14 and '15to yield upwardly when the flanges 17 on the trolley wheel 18, Fig. 1, pass under the contact de-' group of lamps being suitably arranged, as in a box 21, and each group including a greenlamp g, a yellow lamp y, and a red lamp 7 arranged in independent circuits.

The circuits of the signal lamps are controlled by oil switches, one for each signal lamp. Each switch comprises a fixed contact 22 and a movable contact 23, both'of which extend into a cup or receptacle 24 containing an insulating oil 25 for preventing arcing when the contacts are separated. The fixed contact 22 is secured to a block of insulation 26 and the movable contact 23 is fastened to an armature 27 of an electromagnet 28, the armature being pivoted at 29 on the metallic frame 30 of the electromagnet. The electro-magnet 28 serves to open the oil switch, and a spring 31 connected with the armature 27 serves to close the switch. The closing of the switch is controlled, however, by an electro-magnet 32 which has an armature 33 that interlocks with the armature 27 when the latter is in switch-open position, as shown in Fig. 3. The armature 33 has a spring 34 which, like the spring 31, is adjustably connected with a bracket or other support 35 which is fastened to the frame 30 for the magnets 28 and 32. The armatures 27 and 33 are disposed at approximately right-angles to each other with their free ends in proximity, so that the free end of one armature will interlock with the free end of the other armature. Thus, when either magnet is energized it will attract its associated armature and the armature of the other electro-magnet will be drawn by its spring into interlocking relation with the magnetically attracted armature, it being understood that the magnets are never energized simultaneously. For instance, when the opening magnet 28 is energized, the armature 27 is attracted, so that the oil switch is opened, and the armature 33 of the closed electro-magnet will drop under the free end of the armature 27. The parts remain in this position until the closing magnet 32 is nergized, the efiect being. that the armature 33 is attracted and the free end of the armature 27 will drop under the free end of the armature 33. Each armature has on its under side a stop 36 for limiting the movement of one armature under the other. In the diagrams the oil switches G, Y and R'constitute a group at one end of a block for the green, yellow and red lights, respectively, and the switches R, Y, and G constitute the group at the other end of a block for controlling green, yellow and red lights, respectively. Three wires 37, 38 and 39 extend the length of a block, and the wire 37 is connected with the end contacts 14 of the contact devices A associated with the trolley wire,'and the wire 38 is connectedwith the contact 15 of the contact device at one end of the block, while the wire 39 is connected with the contact 15 of the contact device at the opposite end of the block. The closing magnets 32 of the switches G and G are connected by the branch wires 37" with the wire 37 and the opening magnets 28 of the switches Y, Y and R, R are connected by wires 37 with the supply wire 37. The opening magnets 28 of switches G and G are made with two windings which are connected respectivelywith branches 38 and 39 of the supply wires 38 and 39, respectively. The closing magnets 32 of the switches Y and Y are connected respectively by branches 38 and 39 withthe wires 38 and 39 respectively, and the closing magnet 32 ofthe switches R and R are respectively connected in series with the supply wires 39 and 38, and it will be noted that all the magnets other than the last two are con nected to ground by ground wires 40. In order to reduce the quantity of current fiow ing through the electro-magnets, resistances 41 are arranged in series between the mag nets and the supply wires 37, 38 and 39, that are adapted to be connected with the trolley wire 10 as the trolley wheel engages the contacts 14 and 15.

The lamps are connected with the trolley wire by a common wire 42, and separate wires 43, 44 and 45 extend from the respective lamps g, g and r to the fixed contacts 22 of the switches G, Y and R. The metallic frames 30 for the electro-magnets are connected with the ground wire 40, so that when an oil switch is closed the circuit is completed through the frame of the magnets thereof.

When a block is clear the green lamps g at both ends of the block will be lighted and current flows from the trolley wire 10 through the wire 42, lamp 9, wire 43, contacts of the normally closed switches G and G, magnet frames 30 and wire 40, to ground. When a car enters a block the trolley wheel will make contact with the outer contact 14, but this will have no effect on the lamps except that the green lamps will continue to glowfor an instant until the trolley wheel engages the adjacent contact 15, as shown in Fig. 4, where the trolley wheel 18 of the car is supposed to be moving from the right to left. When the trolley wheel 18 engages the contact 15 the normally closed green light switches G and G are opened and the yellow light switch Y and the red light switch R also closed, so that current will flow through the path indicated by the heavy lines in Fig. 4. This means that a red lamp will be lighted at the far or leaving end of the block and the yellow light at the entrance end. This condition will be maintained until the car leaves the block. In leaving the block the trolley will engage the contact 15 at the leaving end, but this has no operative effeet in the scheme of signaling, and it is only when the trolley wheel engages the contact l t at the leaving end of the block that an effective change in the signaling 5 takes place, as shown in Fig. 5. From this diagram it will be seen that all. the oil switches except the switches G and G are open, and consequently current will flow through the circuits indicated by the heavy lines, and therefore the green lamps willbe again energized to show that the block is clear. The change which has been brought about by the car leaving the block is the opening of the switch Y in addition to the closing of switches G and G and the openin of the switch R.

' n Fig. 6 it is assumed that the car is traveling to the right and that the trolley Wheel is in engagement with the left 2 contact 15. As a consequence the oil switches Y and R are closed, so that current will pass through the yellow lamp of the left group and the red lamp of the right group, whereby a caution signal will be exhibited at the entrance end of a block and a danger signal at the leaving end. When the car passes out of the blockthe circuits will be restored to normal condition, with the green lamps at both ends of the block lighted and all the oil switches open, except the switches G and G.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the, accompanyingdrawings, the advantages of the construction and method of operation will be readily understood by those skilledin the art to which the invention appertains, and while I have described the principle of operation, together with the apparatus which I now consider to be the best embodiment thereof,-

I desire to have it understood that the apparatus shown is merely illustrative and that such changes may be made when desired asare within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

l 1. The combination of track rails, with a block signal system independent of the track rails and comprising a clear signal at the entering end of the block and aclear and a danger signal at the leaving end of the block, a switch for each signal ,55 to complete the circuit thereof, electrical means for closing the clear signal switches as a car is leaving the block for setting clear signals, electrical means for closing the danger signal switch and open ing the clear signal switches as a car enters the block, whereby a danger signal is given at the far end of the block, each switch including an electro-magnetically operated movable contact for opening the switch, and

" an electrically operated lock movable to, and

from a position for holding the movable contact in open position.

2. The combination of track rails, with a block signal-system independent of the track rails, and comprising an energized conductor 7 extending along the block, clear and danger signals at each end of the block, and con nected with the conductor, a pair of yieldingly mounted contacts associated with the conductor'at each end of the block, a carcarried element engaging the conductor and adapted to strike the said contacts to electrically connect the same with the conductor, normally closed switches for completing the circuits of clear signals, electrical means so connected to one of the said contacts at each end of the. block for opening the said switches as the said element enters either end of a block to destroy the clear signals, electrical means connected to the other of said contacts at each end of the block for effecting theclosing of the said switches when the car-carried elementleaves the remote end of the block, a normally open switch adapted when closed to complete the circuit of the danger signal at the remote end of the block, electrical means connected with the firstmentioned contact at the entering end of the block, for closing the last mentioned switch when the car carried element enters the block, and means connected with the second mentioned contacts for opening the danger signal switches simultaneously with the closing of the clear signal switches, as the carcarried element leaves the remote end of the block, each of said switches comprising a movable contact, an electromagnet adapted when energized to operate the contact to open the switch, locking means for holding the said contact in open position, an electro- 1 magnet controlling'said locking means and adapted when energized to release the movable contact, and means for moving the said contact to closed position when released. 7

3. The combination of track rails, with a block signal system independent of the track rails and comprising an energized conductor, an element carried by a car. and engaging the conductor, a pair of contacts at each end of the block and associated with the conductor, whereby the said element in passing the contacts electrically connects the contacts with the conductor, clear and danger signals at each end of the block and connected with the conductor, normally closed clear signal switches for completing the circuits of the clear signals, electrical means connected with one of said contacts at each end ofthc block, for opening the said switches, when a car enters, either end of the block, electrical means connectedwith the other contacts at each end of the block for'effecting the closing of the clear signal switches when a car is leaving the remote end of the block, normally open danger signal switches for closing the circuit of eachof the danger signals, electricalv means connected 7 with the first mentioned contacts for effecting the closing of the danger signal switch at the remote end of the block as a train enters the block,

and electrical means for opening the closed danger signal switch, as the train is leaving the remote end of the block, each of said switches including a fixed and a movable contact, an electromagnet adapted when energized to control the movable contact to open the switch, locking means, for holding the movable contact in openrposition, an electromagnet adapted when energized to move the locking means to release the said contact, and

through the block from either end, normally closed clear signal switches for energizing the clear signals, electrical meansfor opening th said switches whenthe element engages the inner one of the contacts at the entering end of the block when the car is passing through the block in either direction, electrical means for effecting the closing of the switches when the element engages the outer one of the contacts at the remote end of the block, normally open danger signal switches, elect-rical'mean's for effecting the closing of the danger signal switch for the danger signal at the remote end of the block by the. engagement of the element with the inner contact at the entering end of the block simultaneously with the opening of the clear signal switches,'means for opening the said closed danger signal switch by the said element engaging the outer contact at the remote end of the block simultaneously with the closing of the clear signal switches, normally open caution signal switches, electrical means for efl'ecting the closing of the caution signal switch for the caution signal at the entering end of the block when said car-carried element effects the opening of the clear signal switches and the closing of the danger signal switch at the remote end of the block, and electrical means for eifecting the opening ofthe said closed caution signal switch by the said element when the latter in leaving the remote end of the block efiects the closing of the clear signal switches and the opening of the closed danger signal switch, each switch including an electro-magnetically operated movable contact for opening the switch, an electrically operated lock movable to and from a position for holding the movable contact in open position, and means for closing the movable contact when released from said lock.

5. The combination of track rails, with a block signal system independent of the said rails and comprising clear, danger and caution signals at each end of the block, switches for controlling the circuits of the signals, there being one switch for each signal, electrical means connected with the clearsignal switches and controlled by a car passing from the remote end of the block to operate the said switches to set, the clear signals, electrical means controlled by a car entering the block at either end to open the clear signal switches and to close the caution signal switchto set the caution signal at the entering end, and to operate the danger signal switch corresponding to the danger signal at the remote end of the block to set the latter signal, each of said switches including a pair of armatures disposed at an angle to each other and arranged to interlock, eleetro-magnets for actuating the armatures each in one direction, resilient means for moving the armatures in the opposite direction, switch contacts one of which is fastened to the armature of one of the electromagnets, the said electromagnet when energized serving to move the said contact to open the switch, the armature of the other electromagnet when the latter is energized releasing the armature of the first or opening magnet to permit its resilient means to move the armature to close the said switch. 6. The combination of track rails, with a block signal system independent of the said rails, and comprising clear, danger, and caution signals at each end of the block, switches for controlling the: circuits of the signals, there being one switch for each signal, electrical means connected with the clear signal switches and controlled by a car passing from the remote end of the block to operate the said switches to set the clear signals, electrical meanscontrolled by a car entering the block at either, end to open the clear signal. switches and to close the caution signal switch to set the caution signal at the entering end and to operate the danger signal switch corresponding to the danger signal at the remote end of the block to set the latter signal, eachrofv said switches comprising a fixed and a movable contact, an armature carrying the movable contact, an openingelectromagnet adapted when energized to attract the said armature'to open the switch, an electro-magnet for control ling the closing of the switch, one of the said electromagnets being energized when the other is cleenergized, the armatures of the said electromagnets being disposed at an angle to each other and arranged to interlock, resilient means connected with the said armatures for moving the same in one direction, each electromagnet when energized releasing the armature of the other electro-magnet to permit its resilient means to move it to position to lock the armature of the energized magnet, the resilient means connected with the armature of the opening magnet also serving to move the said armature, when the latter is released, into position to close the said switch, and an oil containing receptacle in which the switch contacts are submerged.

7. The combination of track rails, with a block signal system including a conductor extending thefull length of the block, and independent of the rails, clear, danger and caution signals at each end of the block electrically actuated switches controlling the signals, one switch for each signal, each switch comprising an electromagnetically operated movable contact for opening the switch, and an electromagnetically operated lock movable to a position to hold the movable contact in open position and also movable to a position to release the said movable contact to permit the switch to close, and contact devices for controlling the ac tuation of the switches, each device comprising a pair of contacts spaced along the conductor at each end of the block and in close proximity to the conductor, whereby a car-carried element having a running contact with the conductor would engage the contacts when entering the block at either end, and electrically connect them with the conductor for supplying current to the switches, one contact of a' pair at the entering end of the block controlling certain of said switches to destroy the clear signals, to set a caution signal at said entering end and to set a danger signal at the remote end, the other contact of a pair'at the remote end controlling certain of the switches to restore the clear signals, at both ends of the block and to put the said caution and danger signals out of service.

8. The combination of track rails, with a block signal system comprising a conductor independent of the track rails, clear and danger signals at each end of the block and connected with the conductor, switches, one for each signal for controlling the circuits of the signals, a pair of contacts at each end of the block and controlled by a car passing through the block for electrically connecting the contacts with the conductor for operating the switches, the said switches each including a movable contact, an opening electromagnet adapted when energized to move the movable contact-to open position, a lock for holding the movable contact in open position, a closing electromagnet adapted when energized to move the lock to release the said movable contact, and means for moving the said movable contact to closed position when released, one of the electro magnets being denergized when the other is energized, one of the, contacts of a pair at the entering end of a block controlling certain of said switches to energize the opening magnets of the clear signal switches and the closing magnet'of the danger signal switch at the remote end, the other-contact of a pair at the remote end controlling certain of the switches to energize the closing electro-magnets of the clear signal switches, at both ends of the block and to energize the opening electromagnet of the danger signal switch.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses; I

VIRGIL WEBB BAUMGARTNER. -Witnesses:

HENRY V. VAN REX, D. B. RICHARDS.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. O. 

